3dfx Voodoo3 2000 PCI 16MB Video Card3dfx Voodoo3 2000 PCI 16MB Video Card
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- DirectX, Glide, and OpenGL support
- 16 MB SDRAM
- 143 MHz core clock speed
- 300 MHz RAMDAC
- Supports resolutions up to 2,048 x 1,536
The Voodoo3 2000's notable feature set includes 3dfx's patented single pass, single cycle multi-texturing, dual 32-bit texture-rendering pipeline, alpha blending, single pass, single cycle bump mapping, gouraud shading, DVD hardware assist, and a 128-bit 2-D accelerator. With a core clock rate of 143 MHz and 300 MHz RAMDAC, this card offers impressive 3D performance.
Installing the Voodoo3 2000 was a snap as the manual walks you step by step through the process. We tested the Voodoo3 2000 on a 333-MHz Celeron system with DirectX 6.1 at resolutions of 640 x 480 and 800 x 600. (Our 14-inch monitor couldn't handle much more). The card managed an impressive 47.3 frames per second at 800 x 600 in our Quake II time demo, and 51.4 frames per second at 640 x 480--very near 3dfx's claim of 60 frames per second.
We would love to see 3dfx support 32-bit color at some point in the future, especially since Quake III will support true-color textures. Additionally, 3dfx's Voodoo cards only support a 256 x 256 texture size, which will result in a decrease in image quality once game manufacturers begin supporting 2,048 x 2,048 texture sizes. However, 3dfx's advantage at this point lies in its proprietary Glide API (application program interface) and clout within the 3-D graphics-card arena. These factors are enough to make the Voodoo3 2000 card a number one choice for those seeking the most intense gaming experience around.
Pros:
- Easy to install
- Impressive frame rates
- Extensive game support
- Glide API support
- Superb graphics quality
Cons:
- No 32-bit output
- Maximum memory of 16 MB
- Limited by 256 x 256 texture size
- Personal Computers: 0 pages
- Platforms: Windows 98, Windows 95, Windows
- Publisher: 3DFX
- Label: 3DFX
- Studio: 3DFX
- Sales Rank in Electronics: #194639
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33 of 33 people found the following review helpful:  An excellent upgrade, By A Customer Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?) This review is from: 3dfx Voodoo3 2000 PCI 16MB Video Card (Personal Computers) Low price, features, ease of installation, and super-charged video performance are only a few of the things the Voodoo3 2000 PCI card offers. Upgrading from a previous 4MB accelerator card, I've seen a tremendous amount of improvement in my computer system overall.Obviously 3D applications look amazing on the card, running at very high resolutions and silky smooth. However, another point to mention is that there is such a thing as 2D acceleration as well. The Windows GUI interface is much more speedy, both in overall performance and animation. 2D applications are faster, as all the 2D video processing is done on the superfast Voodoo3 chip. 2D games are vastly improved in speed and picture quality. In fact, my monitor has never looked so good. The Voodoo3 vastly improves image clarity and quality (at least over my other card I had). I've heard a lot of people mention they've had problems with this card, but if you simply download the latest drivers from 3Dfx,...Read more 14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:  Good entry-level card for good price, By Steve "sdgibbs" (Houston, Tx) - See all my reviews This review is from: 3dfx Voodoo3 2000 PCI 16MB Video Card (Personal Computers) I was looking for an inexpensive card that would let me play 3D games. Didn't want to spent major $$$ for a top of the line card. Did some research and decided on this one. Installation was super-easy on my 333mhz pentium. I was up and going within 20 minutes. Even the 2D is an improvement over my previous 4MB card. I would recommend this card if you are in the market for a low cost 3D card and are not a super-super-serious gamer that is only going to be satisfied with the top of the line. 13 of 13 people found the following review helpful: Excellent bargain in 3D/2D acceleration, By Robert (America) - See all my reviews This review is from: 3dfx Voodoo3 2000 PCI 16MB Video Card (Personal Computers) I am very pleased with the V3 2000 I received this week. Performance has been rock-solid in both 3D and 2D. I chose this card largely based on a value model measuring 3D frames-per-second per dollar. This seems like a good way to sidestep the religious nature that the 3D card debate has taken. My other considerations were software compatibility, screen image appearance in 3D, and 2D performance superior to my previous 2D card. With early drivers from 3dfx, the Voodoo3's 2D performance was reported to be a weaker point of this card, but with drivers available now I see a noticeable 2D boost over my machine's stock 2D card, the IMS/ixMicro Twin Turbo 128 8MA. My whole system is more responsive and actually seems more stable. And, yes, all my 3D games are gorgeous and fluid under this card at any resolution I please. (Note: I have yet to test Q3A.) Naturally, I'm using the card on a platform that 3dfx doesn't even support or warrant...at least not ``officially''. If...Read more |
